Stitch-forming machine



wi. BRETSCHNEHDER STITCH FORMING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 3,930

mig@

Dec. 10 1935 M. BRETscHNElbER STITCH FORMING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet; 2

Filed Ocb. 29, 1930 Dec. 10, 1935. MQ BRETscHNElDER STITCH FORMING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l/.j Filed Oct. 29,' 1930 r '"@flf Fig/l5 .rllllllIlllll DeC- 10 1935- M. BRETSCHNEIDER STITCH FORMING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. l0, 15935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 29, 1930, Serial No. 492,042 In Germany November 4, 1929 11 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improvement in stitch-forming machines.

The increase of working speed in embroidering machines of the multi-needle type as Well as in sewing machines requires the substitution of circular for longitudinal shuttles to exclude mass action as much as possible, it being necessary, however, to make provision for slackening the thread during frame adjustments. For this purpose, according to the invention, the holder keeping the shuttle within reach of the looper, is arranged rotatably, a feature of importance not only to multi-needle embroidering machines but als-o to single-needle sewing machines and capable of widest application. In order to arrange in multi-needle machines a plurality of circular shuttles closely side by side in accordance with the repeat of the embroidering machine and rotate their loopers from a common driving shaft, the looper shafts are disposed vertically, each of them being rotated from the driving shaft by means of a helical gear drive. The holder of the shuttles is positioned vertically displaceable relative to the machine frame, but held by a crank device adapted to reciprocate the holder and the shuttles for the purpose of delivering the thread during the motion of the frame. The driving shait of the shuttles rotates irregularly in the manner known in sewing machine construction, and this irregular rotation is attained in a special way according to the invention. To introduce the breadths of fabric without any trouble, the invention disposes the shuttle carriage preferably vertically disp-laceable relative to the machine frame so that the frame struts need not be removed when the fabric is changed and can serve as supports for the frame.

One embodiment oi the invention is illustrated is a side View and section of the shuttle carriage guide, the bearings of the circular shuttles and the drive of the loopers; Fig. 2, a View of. the shuttle carriage as seen from the operating side thereof. ,-Fig. 3, a view from below of the crank device for producing rotation of the shuttles to give thread; Fig. 4, an end View of the machine frame and of the transmission of motion from the main shaft of an embroidering machine to the shuttle driving shaft; Fig. 5, a front view of Fig. 4 seen in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 4; Figs. 6 to 8 are, respectively, a side view, a plan and an axial section of the coupling of the looper driving shaft with the shaft end positioned on the machine frame and rotated by the main shaft; Fig. 9 is an end view of an embroidering machine disclosing the suspension and mutual balancing of two oppositely arranged shuttle carriages; Fig, l0, a rear view of the suspension of the shuttle carriages seen from the needle side in the direction of the arrow B in Fig. 9; Fig. 11, 5 a view of arranging a shuttle between the looper and holder; Fig. 12, a section of the shuttle; Fig. 13, a plan thereof; Fig. 14, a view of a jointed shaft; Fig. l5, a view of a sewing machine; and Fig. 16 is a view on a larger scale of the details i() of the machine of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, the circular shuttles I are essentially of the same shape as those in sewing machines, but provided with a cover 2 so that the bobbins |00 may be inserted and 15 kept out of touch with the looper I5. The use of bobbins insures uniform and easy take-up regardless of the thread reserve, the thread being guided away from the inner windings of the bobbin through a. hole IOI in the center of the cover 2O` and in a depressed portion |04 on the outside of the latter over the outer edge of the shuttle I under the tension spring i02, the perforations |03 in the side wall of the shuttle permitting convenient inspection of the thread reserve. The shuttle 25 rests on a portion of the bevelled upper edge of the holder 3, and the part on both sides of the notch |06 to be engaged by the nger |05 does not slope for a short distance, the nger |05k serving to prevent the looper I5 from driving the shuttle. 30V

Each holder 3 is displaceably positioned by means of the bolt 4 in the bushing 5 of the shuttle carriage 6 and is pressed upwardly by the spring 1, while the crank 8 secured to the lower end of each bolt 4 is adjacent the lower side of. the 35 shuttle carriage 6 and limits the upward motion i the bolt 4.

The cranks 8 are connected by pins 9 with a common draw bar I0 disposed parallel to the shuttle carriage 6 and reciprocated at one end by 40 hand or by the machine.A The draw bar I0 carrying out one reciprocatory motion during each rotation of the shaft 20 to move the shuttles I to deliver a length of thread from the bobbin.

If a shuttle is to be removed, the bolt 4 is drawn 45 down by means of the head II, whereby the holder 3 with the shuttle, which is loosely disposed therein, is lowered. Each shuttle can operate independently of the others when its thread for any reason becomes slack and only a short 50- length has to be drawn out, for which purpose the corresponding crank 8 is disconnected from the bar I0 and rotated.

By means of the holders 3 the shuttles I are kept within range of the loopers I5 above them 55 without, however, touching them. Each looper I5 is carried by a shaft I6 rotatably arranged about a vertical axis in the bushing I? of the looper carriage 6. To the upper end of the shaft I6 a helical gear I8 is secured engaging a corresponding helical gear I9 on the shaft 2i] which carries as many helical gears I 9 as there are needles or shuttles on one machine side. During the rotation of the shaft 26 the loopers I5 are turned, each looper thus gripping the thread fed by the respective needle and forms it into a loop as in known sewing machines. Towards the needle side the shuttle carriage is covered by the needle plate 2I to prevent the fabric from coming within range of the loopers.

The working method of the loopers requires irregular rotation of the latter, which can be attained in various ways; for example, by rotating the driving shaft 2) by means of untrue gears. According to the invention, driving power is transmitted from the main shaft 22 of the machine (Fig. 4) to the shaft member 266 detachably connected with the looper driving shaft 20 in the following manner:

The main shaft 22 carries an eccentric 23. The eccentric ring or strap 24 carries an arm 25 provided with a guide channel 26 engaged by the sliding block 2T which is rotatably disposed on the bolt 28 held in position by the machine frame so that the motion of the arm 25 determined by the bolt 28 and the eccentric 23 takes place during the operation of the eccentric. A slot 3D is formed in the free end of the arm 25 extending transversely to the latter and a pin 29 is adjustably arranged in the slot. This pin 29 is engaged by the guide rod 3 I, the other end of which is articulated relative to the pin 32 of a crank 33 secured to the shaft member 203. The pin 29 moves in an orbital path at an irregular speed and, by means of the guide rod 3|, causes the crank pin 32 and the shaft 206 on which it is mounted to move with a correspondingly irregular motion as the shaft 200 is coupled with the shaft 2D, which motion is transmitted by the helical gears I8 to the loopers I5.

To displace the shuttle carriage 6 in upward direction so as to facilitate the insertion of the embroidering fabric wound on a roll between the carriage 6 and the needle carrying rods 35, the carriage 6 can be displaced vertically along the guide rod 39 by means of the sleeves 36 and 31, the rod 39 being secured to the machine frame. As good balancing of the masses of the horizontally reciprocating needles and their driving parts makes it necessary to dispose the embroidering tools in two opposite rows and to cause the tools and parts to move in opposite directions, the two carriages may be easily balanced and, for this purpose, are'suspended by means of the holding rods 40 from double-armed levers 4I rotatably disposed on the upper end of the machine frame by means of the bolts 42; furthermore, all of the sleeves 36 for one of the two shuttle carriages of the embroidering machine are connected with the racks 50 which are engaged by the pinions 5I positioned on the shaft 52 which can be rotated by the double-armed adjusting lever 53 so that the shuttle carriage 6 can always be moved up on the machine side where the fabric is to be exchanged to facilitate the introduction of the cloth rollers. In working position the shuttle carriages 6 are held by the levers 55 on the shaft 56, which can be adjusted underneath the horizontal arms 58 of the carriages 6 by means of their carrier rolls 51, the general arrangement aozasos being so as to move the supporting levers 55 at a small angle beyond the dead center position to support the shuttle carriages and lift the latter sufficiently to relieve the holding rods 4I] so that the weight of the carriages rests exclusively on the levers 55 and any vibration of the carriages is eliminated.

To avoid the necessity of separating the gear for transmitting driving motion from the main shaft 22 tothe driving shaft .'z at a vertical displacement of the shuttle carriage 6, the shaft 20 is divided according to Figs. 5 to 8 in the manner suggested above. The shaft members 23 and 260 are thus connected by the coupling members 44, 45, and 46, the intermediate member 45 being connected to the adjacent members 44 and 46 by key and groove positioned vertically to the axis of the shaft while the keying between the members 44 and 45 is disposed vertically to that between the members 45 and 46. In this way the intermediate member 45 is held reliably between the other two members in any position and transmission of motion from one shaft member to the other insured even if, owing to inaccurate adjustment of the carriage 6, the axes of the two shaft members are not exactly alined. To prevent the intermediate member 45 from dropping off from the coupling member 44 after an adjustment of the shuttle carriages and a separation of the shaft members 2B and 260, it is held in position relative to the coupling member by the pin 41 secured to the member 45 and projecting loosely through a cross bore of the shaft 266. The connection of the shaft members 26 and 260 may be carried out in different ways, and instead of separating them from one another at a displacement of the shuttle carriages, their effective connection may be retained by the interposition of an extensible jointed shaft comprising, according to Fig. 14, two parts 26| and 262 adapted to be telescoped and connected in any suitable manner, such as, for example, by key and groove or slot and cross pin, so that torques are reliably transmitted from one part to the other. The parts are connected by Cardan joints and the like to the shaft members 20 and 286 so that during an upward motion of the shaft 2D its connection with the shaft 266 is not interrupted.

As the space below the loopers is occupied by the holder 3 and its parts, the bore tools must be arranged between the shuttles, an arrangement which affords the considerable advantage that the fabric on both sides of the bore tools is held in position by the presser members whereby the otherwise unavoidable noise is eliminated, which is of special importance particularly in high speed machines.

The arrangement described may be varied in many ways and adapted to all sorts of conditions. In particular, the drive described for attaining a reciprocating motion of the shuttle can be used protably also in one-needle sewing machines in order to provide for better thread giving than was possible till now.

Fig. shows the application of the invention to a sewing machine, the essential parts of which are known. Above the table 325 the standard 32| with the arm 322 and the head 323 is arranged, the needle carrying rod or bar 324 being capable of moving up and down in the head 323 and is driven by the main shaft 325. The needle bar 324 carries the needles 326 within range of which the looper 3I5 is disposed under the table 323 and held by the shaft 3I6 rotatably positioned in the brackets 321 and 328. The free end of the shaft 3I6 carries a crank 329 which is rotated in the known manner from the main machine shaft 325. As this kind of gear is known, it is indicated only in the drawings by the dotted line 330.

Within range of the looper SI5 the shuttle 30| is found which is held by the holder 3D3 carried by the shaft 365 positioned in a side arm 331 of the bracket 328. The free end of the shaft 305 carries a crank 332 which, by means of the rod 333, can be moved to and fro from a crank 334 secured to a shaft 335 rotatably arranged in the brackets 321 and 329. The other end of the shaft 335 carries also a crank 336 which can be moved to and fro from the main shaft 325 by means of the rod 331. For this purpose the main shaft 325 is provided with a cam 333 which causes the rod 33? to be moved up and down.

1. In a stitch-forming machine, the combination of a plurality of needles, a looper disposed within range of each needle and rotatably disposed relative to the machine frame, the axes of the loopers being disposed transversely to the needles, a toothed wheel for each looper adapted to be driven by another toothed wheel, an auxiliary shaft, gears on the said shaft and adapted to drive the loopers, a crank, a crank pin, a guide rod secured to one end of the said auxiliary shaft and adapted to engage with one end of the said crank pin, a main driving shaft disposed parallel to the said auxiliary shaft, an eccentric arranged on the said main shaft, an eccentric rod driven by the eccentric, a guide channel on the said eccentric rod, a block adapted to slide inthe guide channel, a bolt connecting the block to the machine frame, means for connecting the free end of the said eccentric rod with the said guide rod, the said means being adjustable transversely to the longitudinal direction of the said eccentric rod, a circular shuttle positioned under each looper, and a holder for each shuttle, the said holder being arranged under each shuttle and adapted to carry the shuttle, the said loopers and shuttles being separated by an intermediate space.

2. In a stitch-forming machine, the combination of a plurality of needles, a looper disposed within range of each needle and rotatably disposed relative to the machine frame, the axes of the loopers being disposed transversely to the needles, a pinion for each looper adapted to be driven by another pinion, an auxiliary shaft provided with gears for driving the loopers and arranged on the shuttle guide adapted to be moved up and down on the machine frame, coupling members secured to one end of the auxiliary shaft, a second shaft connected with the first shaft by the said coupling members and arranged on the machine frame, a crank connected with the free end of the said second shaft, a crank pin, a guide rod ysecured to one end of the said auxiliary shaft and adapted to engage with one end of the said crank pin, a main driving shaft disposed parallel to the said auxiliary shaft, an eccentric arranged on the said main shaft, an eccentric rod driven by the eccentric, a guide channel on the said eccentric rod, a block adapted to slide in the said guide channel, a bolt connecting the block to the machine frame, means for connecting the free end of the said eccentric rod with the said guide rod, the said means being adjustable transversely to the longitudinal direction of the said eccentric rod, a circular shuttle positioned under each looper, and a holder for each shuttle, the said holder being arranged under each shuttle and adapted to carry the shuttle, the said loopers and shuttles being separated by an intermediate space,

3. In a stitch-forming machine, the combination of a plurality of needles, a looper disposed within range of each needle and rotatably disposed relative to the machine frame, the axes of the loopers being arranged transversely to the needles, a pinion for each looper adapted to be driven by ano-ther pinion, an auxiliary shaft provided with gears for driving the loopers and arranged on the shuttle guide adapted to be moved up and down on the machine fra-me, coupling members secured to one end of the auxiliary shaft, a second shaft connected with the first shaft by the said coupling members and arranged on the machine frame, the said coupling members comprising three discs interconnected by key and groove directed transversely to the axis of the shaft, the disc connected with the auxiliary shaft being upwardly displaceable away from the middle disc, a crank connected with the free end of the said second shaft, a crank pin, a guide rod secured to one end of the said auxiliary shaft and adapted to engage with. one end of the said crank pin, a main driving shaft disposed parallel to the said auxiliary shaft, an eccentric arranged on the said main shaft, an eccentric rod driven by the eccentric, a guide channel on the said eccentric rod, a block adapted to slide in the said guide channel, a bolt connecting the block to the machine frame, means for connecting the free end of the said eccentric rod with the said guide rod, the said means being adjustable transversely to the longitudinal direction of the said eccentric rod, a circular shuttle positioned under each looper, and a holder for each shuttle, one holder being arranged under each shuttle and adapted to carry the shuttle, the said loopers and shuttles being separated by an intermediate space.

4. In a stitch-forming machine, the combination of a reciprocatory needle, a looper adapted to cooperate with the said needle, a circular shuttle arranged within range of the said looper, a perforated and grooved cover for the said circular shuttle, the perforation being in the center of the cover and the groove extending from the perforation to the edge, a holder adapted to hold the shuttle during the motion of the said looper, and means rotatably arranged in the machine frame and adapted to turn the said holder.

5. In a stitch-forming machine, the combination of a machine frame, a series of reciprocatory needles, a rod disposed on each side of the said frame, means for moving the two rods oppositely to one another, leopers reciprocated by said rods and rotatably carried by vertical axes, said loopers being adapted to cooperate with the needles, a plurality of circular shuttles, lone shuttle each being arranged under each looper, holders rotatably disposed with Vertical axes under the shuttles and adapted to carry them, double levers positioned in the upper portion of the machine frame, and connecting rods on the free ends of the double levers adapted to connect said ends with the two rods.

6. A stitch-forming mechanism, comprising a needle, a looper rotatably arranged in the machine frame and adapted to cooperate with the said needle, a circular shuttle arranged within range of the said looper, a carrier adapted to 'carry the shuttle, and means to rotate said shuttle carrier together with said shuttle around its own axis during the motion of said looper, but independently from the looper.

7. In a stitch-forming mechanism the combination of a plurality of needles horizontally arranged, a looper disposed within range of each needle and above the level of said needles adapted to cooperate therewith, the axis of the said looper being disposed vertically, a circular shuttle arranged under each looper and being separated therefrom by an intermediate free space, and a carrier er supporter for each shuttle positioned under the shuttle and adapted to carry the shuttle independently from said looper.

8. A mechanism according to claim 6, in which members are provided adapted to connect the means for turning the carrier with the needle driving means to automatically move the carrier after a stitch-forming operation and tensioned prior to further operation, and in which means are provided to uncouple the said carrier from said driving means and to rotate said carrier manually.

9. In a stitch-forming machine, the combination of a plurality of needles, a looper disposed Within range of each needle and adapted to cooperate With the needle, the axis of the said looper being disposed vertically, a circular shuttle arranged under each looper, and a holder for each shuttle positioned under the shuttle and adapted to carry the shuttle, the said loopers and shuttles being separated by an intermediate space permitting passage of the thread from the .shuttle without resistance, and the holder being vertically adjustable to facilitate the removal and exchange of the shuttles.

10. In a stitch-forming machine, the combination of a plurality of needles, a looper disposed within range of each needle and adapted to co- 5 operate With the needle, the axis of the said looper being disposed vertically, a circular shuttle arranged under each looper, a holder for each shuttle positioned under the shuttle and adapted to carry the shuttle, the said loopers and shuttles being separated by an intermediate space. permitting passage of the thread from the shuttle Without resistance, a guide carrying the loopers and holders, and means adapted to adjust the said guide vertically relative to the machine frame.

11. In a stitch-forming machine, the combination of a plurality of needles, a looper disposed Within range of each needle and adapted to cooperate With the needle, the aXis of the said looper being disposed vertically, a circular shuttle arranged under each looper, a holder for each shuttle positioned under the shuttle and adapted to carry the shuttle, the said loopers and shuttles being separated by an intermediate space permitting passage of the thread from the shuttle Without resistance, a guide carrying the loopers and holders, means 'adapted to adjust the said guide vertically relative to the machine frame, and bolts adjustably arranged on the machine frame and adapted to carry the guide with the loopers and holders to relieve the means serving to adjust the guide.

MAX BRETSCHNEIDER. 

